'THE STARS LOOK DOWN'

Evening Star, Issue 23693, 28 September 1940, Page 5

'THE STARS LOOK DOWN'

Michael Redgrave, Margaret Lochwood, and Emlyn Williams are the leading players in ‘ The Stars Look Down,’ l>r A. J. Cronin’s famous story of miners.

The story, as is generally known, deals with the hopes and aspirations of a studious young miner, David Fenwick, who sacrifices his ambitions for pretty, shallow little Jenny Sunhiy, who lets him down in preference for the unscrupulous, self-made _ Joe Gowlan. This human drama is being placed out while the mine itself and its impending disaster loom in the background throughout the whole film. The climax is one of the most impressive scenes ever brought to the screen. To prepare for his part as a miner m this film, Michael Redgrave visited a mine in West Cumberland. He insisted that he should queue with the other

miners to get his safety lamp, and was given a “ token ” disc, which he presented at the lamp office in exchange for a lamp. It was explained to him by the supervisor that this was the mine’s tally for the men below the surface. When they came back to the tap they return the lamp and receive their token.

The walk below ground lasted for an hour, and at one place Redgrave had to crawl upon his 'stomach for about 100yds. The, distance between the floor and the'ceiling was only 20in. Eventually, when the face was reached. Redgrave was introduced to 1 the miners, who were delighted with the‘visit. They each in turn explained thepryjobs, and were more than surprised when the star asked if he might try his hand.

So half an hour was spent by Redgrave with a drilling machine, a borer, and a pick and shovel, until he felt that he had got, the hang of it. . Nancy Price and Edward Rigby have important roles in the film. *